Updated May 15, 2018 Best for Grade 6-8 students. Grades 4 and 5 can use what they are ready for. There are excellent resources here:
You may email questions, Google Docs/Sheets and other work to Mr. Harris, Teacher Librarian at gharris@scdsb.on.ca.
1. Wikipedia Simple Website address: simple.wikipedia.org
Easiest reading, but least information. Example: Simple Wikipedia ~ War of 1812 has 11 paragraphs. Wikipedia ~ War of 1812 has 200+ paragraphs. Can be a great for English Language Learners.
Wikipedia IS a reliable site.
Some proof that shows Wikipedia tells you to be careful.
Some more proof that shows Wikipedia directs you to information that is likely true.
*** You SHOULD verify Wikipedia information … you SHOULD verify ALL information from websites.
2A Google Advanced Search This form helps you get better search results & save you time.
TO THINK ABOUT:
- What words/dates/names/exact-phrases do you want Google to find in articles you want
- 6 – 8 words work better than 1 – 3 words
Some options on Advanced Search ….
- Pick none of these words and articles will not have those words you type
- Pick numbers ranging from a set of dates, example 1700 to 1867
- Pick this exact word or phase: to get searches that MUST have the exact word or phrase, example “working dogs” will only show articles with the phrase ‘working dogs’
- Pick last update for getting the most recent information
Other considertions:
- Look past the three pages or more
- Search again: Change/remove some of your search words, For example, if you find a site that has words that seem important, add those to your new search
- Don’t type Questions for Deep Inquiry Questions. You will often get ASK.com types of websites where the answers are often not from experts or easily verified.
- Type questions for basic facts, for example, What are the body parts of insects? What is the capital of Scotland?
2B Google Images, Maps …
Google has a bar that gives you other choices such as Images, Maps, .
For example, enter search words and pick Images. Click on an image and go to the page it came from. This can give you facts about your search.
2B YouTube YouTube can return very useful information. For example, How to make a double pulley? It can also return dangerous and inappropriate information. It is usually obvious if the video will be inappropriate. Regardless, if it is upsetting or inappropriate, you should stop watching and you should let your teacher know. You aren’t in trouble if that happens.
3 Barrie Public Library (BPL) website library.barrie.ca 705-728-1010 2 Locations in Barrie
Use your BPL card to use ebooks, audio books and databases.
French resources @ BPL French for younger kids French for older kids
4. Archives of Ontario Canadian Archives Use Discover and Online TABS at top of page
Very useful for history, social studies, geography, biographies, culture ~ Phenomenon Based Learning.
Information from Archives is called Primary Sources
Primary sources = original documents or observations by a person that was at the original event
= may be the BEST source of information
Secondary sources = writing about the original documents/events by a person who wasn’t there when it took place
5. Record all sources of information (websites, books, interviews, images, graphs, maps) for all Phenomenon cycle and other work that you have to report or write on.
Use EASYBIB.COM to save your information. Set up a FREE STUDENT Account.
Any Intermediate teacher can show you how to do this.
6. How to Use Online Photos and Images The key is to give credit in your writing to the person or company that took or owns the photo/image. After you copy and paste the photo/image into your DOC, write a Caption to describe the photo/image, then copy and paste the website address and photographer’s name on the line below your caption.